Spell Penetration Feat

Spell Penetration (General)

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Benefit: You get a +2 bonus on caster level checks (1d20 + caster level) made to overcome a creature’s Spell Resistance.

What Spell Penetration Improves

Spell Penetration improves the caster level check used when a spell must overcome Spell Resistance. The feat adds +2 to that check. It does not increase the spell’s saving throw DC, damage, duration or the caster’s actual level for other purposes.

Spell Resistance Check Example

A 7th-level caster trying to affect a creature with Spell Resistance makes a check of 1d20 + 7. With Spell Penetration, the same check becomes 1d20 + 9. If the creature’s Spell Resistance is 18, a roll of 9 produces a total of 18 and succeeds.

When the Feat Matters

It matters only against creatures whose Spell Resistance applies to the spell being cast.
It becomes more valuable in campaigns where resistant outsiders, magical creatures and other high-resistance enemies are common.
It helps offensive and control casters whose important spells would otherwise be lost when a resistance check fails.

See the Feats index for additional spellcasting options and feat chains.